BLACK-BELLIED SAND-GROUSE 151 



side India, throughout South-west Asia and Northern Africa and 

 to Spain and even to the Canary Islands ; in these parts of its 

 range it breeds and has been found doing so even in Afghanistan, 

 the time of year being May. It is also found in Turkestan. 



This species especially affects wide plains in sandy country, 

 and if water is reasonably near, such localities in the North-west 

 are a pretty safe find for them during the cold months they stay 

 with us. Large numbers are bagged at their drinking places, 

 three guns at three different tanks having once bagged fifty-four 

 brace in three hours in a morning, as reported to Hume by his 

 native friend Khan Nizam-ud-din, who was one of the guns in 

 question. 



They generally prefer ploughed land to stubble, and when 

 washing in the eaily morning pack very closely, though they 

 scatter more during the mid-day siesta, and then lie on either 

 side alternately to enjoy the heat, with one wing slightly extended. 

 They are inclined to be wary, especially when they have been 

 much shot at. The note is very much like that of the common 

 sand-grouse and the native names are generally the same, though 

 Banchur is used at Peshawar for the big bird. 



Like the common sand-grouse also, most of their food is 

 seeds with the addition of bits of herbage ; insects are also eaten 

 occasionally, though hardly ever in Hume's experience. They 

 straggle a good deal when feeding, and towards the time of their 

 departure the males skirmish a good deal without actual stand-up 

 fighting. The weight is about a pound, the cocks being inclined 

 to run over this weight and the hens to be lighter. 



Sand-grouse of all kinds strike one at once as being especially 

 suited to the table on account of the huge breast muscles which 

 move their long wings in their swift, powerful flight and make up 

 the greater part of the body ; but in practice they are rather apt 

 to be dry when brought to table, though very freely used where 

 they can be got. 



